(1.) THIS order will dispose of CWP Nos. 8962, 20317, 21185, 21247, 23110 and 23497 of 2011, as challenge in all the petitions is to the selection to the post of Junior Engineer (Civil/Public Health) made by the Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board (for short, 'the Board').
(2.) BRIEFLY , the facts are that the respondent -Board issued advertisement dated 2.5.2011 inviting applications for various posts including 54 posts of Junior Engineers (Civil/Public Health).
(3.) LEARNED counsel for the petitioners submitted that the qualification prescribed in the advertisement for recruitment to the post of Junior Engineer (Civil/Public Health) was Diploma in Civil Engineering of a recognized Institute. The petitioners are holding degree in Civil Engineering from recognized Institutes. As per the procedure prescribed in the advertisement for selection, the only criteria was marks obtained in the written examination conducted for the purpose. There was no interview. In the present case, in the written examination the petitioners have secured marks higher than the selected candidates but still they have been denied appointment merely on the plea that they were more qualified as against the required qualification of Diploma in Civil Engineering as the petitioners are degree holders in Civil Engineering. Relying upon judgment of Full Bench of this court in Manjit Singh v. State of Punjab and others 2010 (3) SCT 703, it was submitted that a candidate possessing higher qualification than the one prescribed in the advertised cannot be declared ineligible for appointment.